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Green Bay Area Public School District

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GBAPS, Green Bay Debut ADA Compliant Sullivan Playground

District and City staff and students gather around for a playground ribbon cutting - bright orange and green playground and orange fall leaves in the background.

Green Bay Area Public Schools and City of Green Bay leaders gathered with students, staff, and families to celebrate the new ADA-compliant and inclusive playground at Sullivan Elementary School on October 25, 2024.

Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich, Interim Superintendent Vicki Bayer, Green Bay Parks Department Deputy Director James Andersen and Sullivan Principal Tanya Fenner spoke, along with translator Leamsi Ruiz Rivera.

Sullivan Elementary School is the largest elementary school in the District, serving almost 700 students. Over the decades the school has served students of all abilities, many of those students did not have access to the playground equipment. 

Interim Superintendent Bayer recognized the hard-working staff who made the new playground possible, including Manager of Facilities Grounds, Josh DePouw and Chief Operations Officer Cale Pulczinski.

“[They] understood our commitment to all means all and ensured that Sullivan students would truly have an ADA-compliant and inclusive playground,” Bayer said. 

Parks Deputy Director James Anderson acknowledged the importance of playgrounds for students of all abilities.

“Playgrounds provide an opportunity to get outdoors and play,” Andersen said. “Because now, even more than ever, as public health continues to be such an important factor for kids as they develop, play is essential in our pursuit of healthier youth and communities.”

Sullivan Principal Tanya Fenner said this new space provides an area where all children can play together in a welcoming environment.

“[The playground] promotes the values of kindness, understanding, and unity,” Fenner said. “Seeing the sheer joy in all of our children enjoying this playground showcases what fostering an environment where every child feels welcome and valued. I am deeply appreciative of the efforts taken to bring this dream to reality.”

Sullivan Park is the fourth ADA-compliant and inclusive playground installed in the Green Bay Area Public School District and the second for the City of Green Bay parks system. The project was made possible thanks to community support of the November 2022 referendum and through City of Green Bay ARPA funds.

New ADA-compliant and inclusive playgrounds were installed at Aldo Leopold Community School and Baird Elementary School over the summer of 2024. Jackson Elementary School was the first in the District to have an ADA-compliant and inclusive playground, which was installed in the summer of 2023. All four playground projects were made possible thanks to community support of the 2022 Referendum.

Mayor Genrich and Principal Fenner shake hands in front of colorful playground equipment, smiling and engaged in conversation.
Vicki Bayer in sunglasses speaks at a podium in at Sullivan Park, while three children stand beside her, holding a colorful ribbon..
Mayor Genrich speaks at a podium while Vicki Bayer listens, with a young student nearby, in Sullivan Park featuring playground equipment.
Vicki Bayer laughs with children at a playground, with a green slide and colorful play structures in the background.
Vicki Bayer chats and holds hands with a young student in a wheel chair near the playground, while Mayor Genrich and Tanya Fenner smile nearby, surrounded by colorful play structures.
A group at a park ceremony prepares to cut a ribbon, with Mayor Genrich at a podium and children holding a ribbon.
A group of children sits on the ground, smiling and chatting, dressed in cozy outfits and colorful clothing at ribbon cutting.
A teacher interacts joyfully with a young student holding a ribbon, while another student in a wheelchair smiles nearby on a sunny day.
Tanya Fenner in a denim jacket and black shirt smiles while shading her eyes, with a playground in the background.
Tanya Fenner speaks at a podium with children beside her, as guests prepare to cut a ribbon at a playground ribbon cutting.
Mayor Genrich, James Andersen and Principal Fenner stand near a playground, with colorful slides and equipment in the background, engaged in conversation.
Two young students, one in a purple dress and the other in a pink dress, share a moment in a park, smiling and holding a colorful ribbon.
A smiling student in a wheelchair interacts joyfully with Principal Fenner wearing a denim jacket and a tiger-themed shirt, outdoors.
Two young students stand together outdoors. One smiles brightly in a purple dress, while the other looks serious in a pink dress.
The translator speaks at a podium, while children and adults gather for a ceremony at a playground with slides and swings.
Children play at a colorful outdoor playground, running towards a green slide on a sunny day with autumn leaves scattered around.
District and City staff and students gather around for a playground ribbon cutting - bright orange and green playground and orange fall leaves in the background.
A child in a red hoodie climbs on a playground structure, smiling. Fall leaves and other children are in the background.
A young student swings joyfully in a park surrounded by trees with autumn leaves, wearing a pink and black jacket and beige pants.
A child swings joyfully in a green swing on a rubberized playground surface, as an adult approaches nearby.
A young student in a red jacket slides down a green playground slide, smiling in a sunny outdoor park setting.
A smiling student in a blue jacket climbs a playground slide, while another child plays in the background on bright equipment.
A smiling child in a blue jacket stands on a playground structure, while a student in a teal hoodie leans in closely.
A student with glasses looks down from a colorful playground structure under a blue sky, ready to slide down.
A young student in a teal shirt slides down a green playground slide, showing an excited expression against a blue sky.
James Andersen in sunglasses slides down a green playground slide, raising his hands in excitement, with children playing nearby.
A happy student in a wheelchair enjoys a playground ride, surrounded by children engaged in play on a vibrant structure.
A smiling student in a wheelchair enjoys playtime on an orange playground structure, surrounded by other children.
A young student in a black jacket plays with a teacher in a gray top as they engage playfully at a park.
Two students slide down a green playground slide, laughing and enjoying a sunny day, surrounded by colorful play equipment.